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The fourth-year NFL cornerback’s day began when Barnes found out that the Washington Redskins were releasing him. Then, a couple hours after leaving the team’s complex assuming he was going to be placed on waivers at 4 p.m., Barnes got a surprising call from Redskins general manager Bruce Allen.

The former Maryland Terrapin was told that he was being traded to the Detroit Lions. Barnes says he has since gotten a call from Lions general manager Martin Mayhew, further confirming the deal.

Having played in 29 games and made three starts with the Redskins over the past three seasons, Barnes was competing for Washington’s fourth cornerback job.

In 2011, he recorded two interceptions and had a combined 26 tackles, primarily serving as a backup.

It sounds like the decision to release (or trade, as it eventually turned out) Barnes came down to special teams, where the Redskins’ coaching staff apparently preferred rookie defender Richard Crawford and second-year defensive back Brandyn Thompson.